System and method for intelligent latch securement

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments include an assembly for anchoring a tool at a subsurface location in a wellbore. The assembly includes a latch coupling having a latch pocket on an internal surface of the latch coupling. Additionally, the assembly includes an outwardly biased latch having a key latch that in operation interacts with the latch pocket of the latch coupling to secure the outwardly biased latch within the latch coupling. Further, the assembly includes a first sensor disposed in the latch pocket, and a second sensor disposed in the key latch. The second sensor detects the first sensor when the outwardly biased latch is secured within the latch coupling. Furthermore, the assembly includes a communication sub communicatively coupled to the second sensor that transmits an indication to a surface of the well that the outwardly biased latch is secured within the latch coupling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly for anchoring a tool at a subsurface location in a wellbore, comprising:
 a latch coupling comprising at least one latch pocket on an internal surface of the latch coupling;   at least one outwardly biased latch comprising at least one key latch that in operation interacts with the at least one latch pocket of the latch coupling to secure the outwardly biased latch within the latch coupling;   a first sensor disposed in the at least one latch pocket;   a second sensor disposed in the at least one key latch, wherein the second sensor detects the first sensor when the at least one outwardly biased latch is secured within the latch coupling; and   a communication sub communicatively coupled to the second sensor and configured to transmit an indication to a surface of the well that the at least one outwardly biased latch is secured within the latch coupling.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of the outwardly biased latches, and each of the outwardly biased latches comprises two key bits positioned at different distances from an uphole end of the outwardly biased latch than the key bits of the other outwardly biased latches. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the latch coupling comprises key pockets that correspond to each of the key bits of the outwardly biased latches such that the outwardly biased latches are securable in the latch coupling in a single orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the communication sub transmits the indication that the at least one outwardly biased latch is secured within the latch coupling using acoustic telemetry, electro-magnetic telemetry, mud pulse telemetry, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is configured to anchor a whipstock at an uphole location such that a lateral wellbore is drillable from the wellbore. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latch coupling comprises a set of grooves extending around an inner circumference of the latch coupling that provides a mechanical indication that the at least one latch is within the latch coupling but not secured. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the mechanical indication comprises a reduction in weight experienced by the drill string that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one key latch comprises a square shoulder that engages with the latch pocket of the latch coupling to prevent further downhole movement of the at least one latch. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second sensor comprises a magnetic sensor or an electric contact. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises a magnet or a current path. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly, comprising:
 a latch assembly comprising:
 at least one outwardly biased latch comprising at least one key latch that in operation interacts with at least one latch pocket of a latch coupling located within the well to secure the latch assembly within the latch coupling; and 
 a biasing device configured to provide a radially outward biasing force on the at least one outwardly biased latch; 
   a first sensor disposed in the at least one key latch of the at least one outwardly biased latch, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect when the at least one key latch is secured within the at least one latch pocket; and   a communication sub communicatively coupled to the first sensor and configured to transmit an indication to a surface of the well that the at least one outwardly biased latch is secured within the latch coupling.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the assembly comprises a downhole tool positioned uphole from the latch assembly, and wherein the latch assembly, when secured within the latch coupling, provides a downhole anchor for the downhole tool. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the latch assembly is securable to the latch coupling in only a single orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the latch assembly is securable to the latch coupling in more than one orientation. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one key latch comprises a squared shoulder that is configured to engage with the latch pocket of the latch coupling to prevent further downhole movement of the at least one latch. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one outwardly biased latch comprises two key latches, and each of the two key latches comprises a squared shoulder configured to support the latch assembly when the at least one outwardly biased latch is secured within the latch coupling. 
     
     
         17 . A method of securing a latch assembly within a wellbore, comprising:
 applying a downhole force on a drill string;   detecting a decrease in string weight on the drill string;   rotating the drill string upon detecting the decrease in the string weight; and   receiving a signal at a surface of the wellbore indicating that a sensor in an outwardly biased latch of the latch assembly is secured within a latch pocket of a latch coupling within the wellbore.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising installing a downhole tool within the wellbore at a position uphole from the latch assembly, wherein the latch assembly secured within the latch coupling prevents the downhole tool from moving downhole. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein rotating the drill string comprises aligning the latch assembly in a single orientation that enables securement of the latch assembly within the latch coupling. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein rotating the drill string comprises aligning the latch assembly in one of a number of orientations that enable securement of the latch assembly within the latch coupling.